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Maria Salvadore

Reading Rockets' children's literature expert, Maria Salvadore, brings you into her world as she explores the best ways to use kids' books both inside — and outside — of the classroom.

What's on your list?

December 20, 2013

It's holiday gift giving time. I made my shopping easier this year as I decided just about everyone on my list will get lasting gifts — books, of course!

What's baby or toddlerhood without Mother Goose rhymes? So the youngest children will receive one of my favorite, most accessible collections: My Very First Mother Goose (Candlewick) selected by Iona Opie, illustrated by Rosemary Wells.

There's a 7-year old boy who doesn't particularly like to read but who loves building things so I think he'll get Cool Creations in 35 Pieces by Sean Kenney (Holt), a nearly wordless guide to making lots of different things with Lego blocks. (A few new Legos will round out that gift.)

For a fine read-aloud for an entire family, I'm giving a copy of Kathi Appelt's National Book Award finalist The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp (Atheneum). This charming story of loyalty, loss and friendship is sure to engage everyone.

A friend of mine has a new grandchild. She remembers reading Tomie dePaola's books to her own daughter, so she's getting a copy of dePaola's Christmas Remembered (Puffin), sure to remind her of her family's traditions — and lasting enough to share when that grandbaby is older.

Wouldn't it be lovely if there was book on every bed for every holiday or celebration? In fact, that's a suggestion from the Family Reading Partnership. They believe that not only do books make great gifts but books make a huge difference to all children, especially the hard-to-reach.

Here's hoping that your holidays are happy and filled with good memories and lots of stories!